The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has berated Governor Seyi Makinde over the use of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, for a political rally organised by the Allied Peoples Movement on Monday.
The APC described the development as insensitive, saying the use of the stadium for a political gathering had reopened questions surrounding the reported N5.5bn rehabilitation of the facility and its recent non-availability for Shooting Stars Sports Club’s continental fixture.
The party, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, issued in Ibadan on Monday, accused the Makinde administration of disregarding public concerns over the stadium while allegedly deploying the facility for political purposes.
The APM rally attracted supporters from across the 33 local government areas of the state, with political speeches and musical performances forming part of the event.
But the opposition party said the rally came at a particularly sensitive time for football fans in the state, following Shooting Stars’ inability to host its CAF Confederation Cup fixture against Tunisian side, CS Sfaxien, at the Adamasingba Stadium.
Sadare said, “At a time questions were being asked on what Governor Makinde did on Adamasingba Stadium to justify the whopping N5.5bn cost of rehabilitation in view of the fact that the Confederation of African Football recently rejected the facility for its matches, the same stadium was turned into a campaign ground where APM members converged to enjoy Fuji music.”
Shooting Stars eventually played the first leg of the fixture at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The development had disappointed many supporters who expected the Oluyole Warriors to return to their traditional home for their continental campaign.
The APC argued that the situation raised questions about the quality and outcome of the rehabilitation work carried out on the stadium.
Sadare said the development was particularly painful for football lovers who had watched the club’s continental campaign move away from Ibadan.
“Unfortunately, this happened when several thousands of soccer enthusiasts were mourning the early exit of their darling Shooting Stars Sports Club from the ongoing Confederation Cup,” he said.
The opposition party further alleged that the administration had failed to adequately address concerns raised over the condition of the stadium despite the huge amount reportedly spent on its rehabilitation.
“Rather than refund the N5.5bn misappropriated in the name of Adamasingba Stadium rehabilitation and re-award the project to a competent contractor in a transparent manner, Governor Makinde continued to rub insults on the injury of the people,” Sadare alleged.
The APC also accused the state government of allegedly shutting some markets in Ibadan and pressuring traders, commercial motorists and other residents to attend the rally.
It claimed that the event involved substantial expenditure, but did not provide documentary evidence to establish the amount allegedly spent or demonstrate that public funds were used for the rally.
The party called on the state government to explain the outcome of the stadium rehabilitation and account for the resources committed to the project.
It also urged the government to prioritise the completion and maintenance of public infrastructure over what it described as political activities.
The controversy comes as political activities gradually intensify in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the use and condition of public facilities increasingly becoming part of the political debate.
